Self-Regulation Learning Skills Comments, Grades 1-3 (Ontario)
Self-Regulation is managing one's own learning: setting goals and tracking them, asking for help when needed, reflecting on strengths and needs, choosing strategies that work, and persevering when a task is hard.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 1-3: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Excellent / Good / Satisfactory / Needs Improvement), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 172 self-regulation sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Excellent · Good · Satisfactory · Needs Improvement · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Excellent E
Strengths
- During sharing time, [Name] confidently explains which activities come easily and which ones need more practice.
- With a clear sense of [his/her/their] own interests, [Name] makes thoughtful choices about books, projects and learning activities.
Next step
- As a next step, [Name] can check in with a goal partner each week and offer specific encouragement about the progress made.
Good G
Strengths
- [Name] can often tell the teacher which activities feel easy and which ones are still tricky.
- Most of the time, [Name] reflects thoughtfully on [his/her/their] work and can name at least one strength and one area to improve.
Next step
- Using a "stop, think, try" card can help [Name] keep going when a task feels tricky.
Satisfactory S
Strengths
- When upset, [Name] at times uses the calm-down corner or a breathing break, and with reminders returns to the activity.
- [Name] is learning to reflect on [his/her/their] work and, with some support, can name one strength and one next step.
Next step
- Taking a short breathing break in the calm-down corner can help [Name] reset and return to learning.
Needs Improvement N
Strengths
- When talking with the teacher, [Name] is beginning to point to a favourite activity and one that feels hard.
- With adult support, [Name] is beginning to name one thing that went well in [his/her/their] work.
Next step
- Pointing to a feelings chart can help [Name] name the feeling and choose a calming strategy with an adult.
Support at home
- You can model asking for help by talking aloud about times you needed help and how you asked for it.
How to write self-regulation comments for Grades 1-3
- Describe what the child does when frustrated: using the calm-down corner, taking deep breaths, or naming a feeling on a chart. Say whether they choose the strategy themselves or with an adult.
- Goals for Grades 1-3 work best when tiny and concrete, like reading one more page or writing two sentences, often on a goal card. Mention whether the child can say what their goal is.
- Note how the child asks for help: putting up a hand, using 'ask three before me', or trying first. Asking at the right time is a skill to praise, not a weakness.
Watch out: Avoid turning Self-Regulation into a behaviour report about calling out or emotions alone. It also covers goal setting, reflection and asking for help, so include at least one of those learning behaviours.
Match the verbs to the letter. Excellent comments use words like consistently, independently and without reminders; Good uses usually or with few reminders; Satisfactory uses sometimes or with reminders; Needs Improvement describes what the student does with adult support and what is beginning to emerge. Then add the evidence behind the rating rather than repeating the letter in words.
What Self-Regulation covers
Growing Success sample behaviours for self-regulation:
- sets own individual goals and monitors progress towards achieving them
- seeks clarification or assistance when needed
- assesses and reflects critically on own strengths, needs, and interests
- identifies learning opportunities, choices, and strategies to meet personal needs and achieve goals
- perseveres and makes an effort when responding to challenges
More Ontario comments
- Responsibility, Grades 1-3
- Organization, Grades 1-3
- Independent Work, Grades 1-3
- Collaboration, Grades 1-3
- Initiative, Grades 1-3
- Self-Regulation, Grades 4-8
- Opening and closing sentences
- All Ontario skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.